09 Apr Will My Tooth Need Additional Treatment Following a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is a tooth-saving procedure than can greatly improve patient comfort and salvage a tooth from extraction. Depending on a patient’s needs, root canal treatment may be followed by restorative dental treatment such as a filling or crown. When it comes to providing endodontic and restorative treatment, our experienced dentists provide gentle and thorough care to patients in our community.
What is involved in a root canal treatment?
The root canal is a chamber inside the tooth, that when exposed to external oral bacteria, can become infected and inflamed. Inside the root canal lie pulp (which contains cellular material) and the nerves inside teeth. When a root canal is exposed and infected, it can cause severe discomfort in the form of sharp pain when eating and drinking and/or persistent toothache.
Root canal therapy is necessary to alleviate pain and discomfort and for saving the tooth from death. Using tiny dental tools, our team will access the root canal from the outside of the tooth and remove all infected structures including the nerve and pulp. The inside of canal will be irrigated, cleaned, and then sealed off with a special rubber-like compound to protect the structural integrity of the tooth.
Some patients worry that root canal treatment causes discomfort but the truth is that without professional care, a patient’s symptoms will only worsen. During endodontic treatments, our team provides anesthetic medicine and mild sedatives (if necessary) to ensure that our patients are relaxed and comfortable.
How do I know if I will need restorations after root canal therapy?
After a thorough examination, our dentists will determine whether a patient will also require restorative dental services in addition to root canal treatment. Restorations may include the placement of a filling or a crown. Our team will help you decide which restoration material(s) are appropriate for your needs. The goal of endodontic and restorative dentistry is to improve oral function and quality of life.
To schedule an appointment, call 972-264-5795 at your convenience.